{"id":61435,"date":"2019-01-29T07:43:18","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T12:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=61435"},"modified":"2019-01-29T07:43:18","modified_gmt":"2019-01-29T12:43:18","slug":"muskoka-loppet-has-biggest-turnout-of-skiers-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/muskoka-loppet-has-biggest-turnout-of-skiers-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Muskoka Loppet has biggest turnout of skiers ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

The Muskoka Loppet is the cross-country ski event of the season. This year, 386 skiers\u2014the most ever since the Loppet was reinstated in the early 2000s\u2014braved the brisk cold to compete at Arrowhead Provincial Park on Sunday, January 27.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

Even though the winds created mini-snow squalls on the course, the sun was shining and family and friends were on the sidelines cheering everyone on. There were a lot of jumping jacks done by skiers and spectators to keep bodies warm.<\/p>\n

Racers each competed in one of three distances: 5km, 15km and 30km. With the trails in excellent condition, the skiers were racing at their best. Some racers powered across the finish line in a race against the clock, while others raced side-by-side as they took their last long strides to the finish. Many came in with bright smiles.<\/p>\n

The event was hosted by the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club and supported by Arrowhead staff on and off the trails along with the volunteers at the finish line, at the hydration stations, on the trails, and by the fire. The Canadian Ski Patrol Muskoka Zone was on site in case of any emergency during the event. Racers were able to warm up in Arrowhead\u2019s new visitor centre and Erika\u2019s bakery fed the racers after their long trail blaze with hot soup and finger foods.<\/p>\n\n\t\t